8 palaces fit for a Leo!

Fort Barli, Rajasthan

Jharokhas that don’t discriminate between stunning sunsets or sunrises. Courtyards shrouded by intricate jalis. And to top it all off, eight meticulously preserved chambers fit for royalty. All of this awaits you at Fort Barli, a 350-year-old heritage hotel in Rajasthan located a stone’s throw away from Ajmer. Reminiscent of a centuries-old photograph brought to life, the fort is one part of a larger group of heritage and boutique properties managed by Sawai Hospitality. 

A must-see? Break bread atop silver thalis filled with ancestral recipes prepared by the royal khansamas (chefs) at the Rani Mahal. Once the queen’s private chambers, the space is decorated with 250-year-old frescos across its walls. Come night, the courtyards and the interiors are illuminated solely by diyas and the starry sky overhead.

Samode Haveli, Jaipur

It would not be amiss to state that every corner of Samode Haveli in Jaipur is art. The intricate 225-year-old structure’s architecture holds the power to make even everyday occurrences appear magical. Soaking in the sunset from your home? Serene at best. Soaking in the sunset from the Haveli’s sweeping terrace, the light filtering through jharokhas and jalis? Otherworldly. 

This magic extends into the interiors, where each corner is meticulously detailed and dotted with hand-painted frescoes. But the Sheesh Mahal suites are where the haveli’s opulence reaches a crescendo. Lined with elaborate mirror work and motifs painted with mind-numbing detail, the suites are a lived experience that words and pictures don’t do justice to. And when you’re famished from clocking thousands of steps in your bid to see every corner of this beautiful property? Dine by the private stairwell, lit up at night by thousands of glimmering lights. 

Bhanwar Niwas, Bikaner

Far from the Pink City and its other more popular cousins (Hello, Udaipur), Bhanwar Niwas’s rose-coloured facade sits in a storied corner of Bikaner. But could you guess the haveli was born during the roaring twenties? Built for Bhanwarlalji Rampuria, heir to a fortune built in the textile and real estate industry, the property sports a curious mix of influences. It melds European and Indian architectural styles, staying true to the era it was born in, but making space for modern amenities all the same.

Home to artefacts and memorabilia collected across centuries, you can spend the entirety of your visit exploring the haveli’s nooks and corners. But if you do venture outside? Join the hotel’s guided walk across the other fabled Rampuria havelis of Bikaner. Click a bazillion pictures. Once you’re done, catch your breath in the Blue Drawing Room — and lose it again at the sight of the intricate Usta art glinting on its walls!

Mihir Garh, House of Rohet, Jodhpur

Aalishan. Shandaar. These are the names used to address Mihir Garh’s 1,700 sq ft luxury suites, situated on the ground and first floors of the lavish fort in the Thar Desert. True to their names, each room on the ground floor comes with its own personal courtyard and plunge pool. Curious about the upper floor? A private terrace and open-air Jacuzzi accompany the storied interiors here, ensuring that all upstairs do not feel left out!

A labour of love undertaken by Sidharth and Rashmi Singh, Mihir Garh translates to Fort of the Sun. True to this moniker, its earthy walls appear to rise out of Jodhpur’s sun-kissed dunes. Hundreds of carpenters, craftsmen and artisans have toiled in the harsh summers to bring each detail within this storied space to life. 

The Laxmi Niwas Palace, Bikaner

Many royal dignitaries and guests who’ve visited The Laxmi Niwas Palace back in the day (King George being one of them) have been known to overstay their visit. And how could you not? Commissioned by Sir Ganga Singh Ji in 1904, the property’s lavish grounds ring true to his eye for craftsmanship and the finer things in life. Striking Indo-Saracenic architecture, objet d’arts sourced from across the globe and details seeped with luxury, right from rich chintz drapery to gold panelling, decorate the interiors. 

If you want a truly authentic royal experience, Laxmi Niwas is the place to be. The interiors, painstakingly pieced together from pictures dating back to the early 1900s, ring true to when Rajasthan was truly the land of the Maharajas. Outside the palace? Judge camels by their haircuts at the Annual Bikaner Camel Fair in January. Visit one of the many famous astrologers in the city (notoriously difficult to get an appointment with, we’re told) to know if there’s still hope for you to discover you’re a long lost monarch.

Neemrana Fort-Palace, Delhi-Jaipur highway

Spread across 14 levels cut in the hills, Neemrana Fort-Palace is a true blue story of restoration, of carving gold from ruins. Dubbed a non-hotel hotel owing to its heritage past, this scenic getaway boasts a view you’ll be raving about long after you leave. Lucky enough to experience it in the monsoon? Nothing better exists! 

Located a few hours away from both Delhi and Jaipur, the palace looks just as picturesque at night as it does in the day. Walk, get lost, and find yourself again in one of the many lush winding paths snaking through the property. But return in time for dinner for their signature Laal Maans: slow-smoked to perfection with a slew of chillies. 

Mundota Palace, Jaipur

You’ve never stayed in a 450-year-old fort with peacocks and plunge pools — until now! Mundota Palace is where you go to escape the script. It’s a place where Rajputana history collides with candlelight, mirror-work and moon-soaked courtyards. 

Set across twenty acres in the Aravalli hills, the palace blends Indian and Mughal design to create its awe-inspiring edifice. There are 125 rooms, each with its own story, swing, and starlit view. Frescos line the walls, flowers float in marble bowls and every evening feels like a scene from a forgotten epic. More than a heritage hotel, it’s an invitation to time travel!

Six Senses Fort Barwara, Rajasthan

Pursuing wellness in a scenic 14th century Fort? Sign us up! Six Senses Fort Barwara stretches across Ranthambore in Rajasthan: tall, imposing and leisurely, much like the wild cats that prowl slowly in the sanctuary nearby. Its expansive grounds are home to a wellness programme that caters to, as the name implies, all your senses. From serene suites you could sleep in all day to a diverse offering of ayurvedic and spa therapies to indulge in, you’ll leave looking (and feeling) like true blue royalty. 

Done with your spa day? The palace is home to folk tales and legends, cherry picked and narrated by Head Naturalist Arun Singh. From searing stories about the multiple dynasties that have ruled Barwara to the intrigue that surrounds the Chauth Ka Barwara temple atop a hill, tuck yourself in for a storytime/history lesson you’ll never forget! 

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